Authorities Monday removed fifty-five cats from the home and property of 78-year old Delores Marti. Monroe city ordinance limits the number of adult cats in a household to three.
Records show Monroe city officials also required Marti to repair or demolish a home on 15th Street in March 2010, and a home on 26th Avenue earlier. Neighbors say the city orders stemmed from Marti's hoarding of cats.
Bill Klein lived next door to Marti on 15th Street and says she was found to have dozens of cats there. He says the home was "completely gutted, windows, roof (replaced)."
Green County court records show Marti received a notice and order "...to Raze or Repair Buildings..." on March 3, 2010.
Court records also show Marti's home on 26th Avenue was "red tagged" for air quality at the same she received the notice on the other home. Neighbors say the 26th Avenue home was also gutted before Marti sold it.
Marti was also cited in 2012 and 2013 for having an excess of animals at her current home.
Monroe City Building Inspector Ryan Lindsey has yet to respond to an email and phone calls from 27 News seeking comment on the future of the 19th Street home.
Municipal complaints for having an excess of animals, and obstructing police have been filed against Marti. She has a September court date. Marti tells 27 News she has no psychological need to shelter dozens of cats, and just cares about their well being.
Neighbor and volunteer firefighter Bob Wartenweiler says he hopes this latest raid on a Marti home leads to some resolution.
"What I've seen on the interior (of home), it's going to take a lot to fix it up," Wartenweiler says.
"I just hope this time, human services and the health department will help her, instead of fining her and throwing her out of her house, I hope they do something this time," Wartenweiler tells 27 News.
Sounds like city officials have known she's been hoarding and killing cats in her THREE HOMES for years and they've never done anything about it.
A Friday court hearing is scheduled to decide on the disposition of the seized cats, who are being sheltered at the Green County Humane Society.
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